Okay so I've been away for a few days but I've been taking my speech schedule very seriously and today is day 3 of speaking for me. ^_^. I started "talking" on Monday and I've been allowed to double up on the time I get to speak for. My first experience talking after being silent for 5 days was shocking and hysterical.
I got to the doctor's office for my post-op visit and the tech there asked me if I'd started to talk yet for the day. I shock my head no and she told me to go ahead and give it a try by saying "e". I opened my mouth took a prepatory breath and went for it. Unfortunately "it" was not in the mood to cooperate. Nothing but air came out. That surprised a laugh out of me. I wasn't expecting that at all. When I tried again some sound did come out but it was nothing like what I had in my mind. You know when you're used to hearing yourself talk you have a certain expectation for what you should sound like. What came out did not mesh with what I expected.
The tech assured me though that that was normal. She did the scope and I made a few more sounds that got a bit stronger toward the end and then I got to see my vocal cords for the first time post surgery. They were red and smooth and absolutely beautiful! I was so happy it looked perfect. Exactly as they should. I told her to let the doctor know I thought he was a rock star. Seriously.
A little later that night I did some more speech practice and it sounded about the same from when I left the office. Today though it's still clearly recovering it sounds a bit stronger and I'm to practice using my voice a little longer.
I keep saying practice because it's like re-learning how to speak. The vocal cords are still a bit rigid and so they aren't vibrating as much as healthy cords should so I need to exercise them or practice using them so they can start to get back to where they need to be. I'm so happy with the results so far. I know to have a realistic expectation though. Not everyone heals at the same rate and the speech schedule I've been given is a bit on the liberal side meaning if I find that I'm still really hoarse in a weeks time I shouldn't panic just keep taking my time and not push myself. I definitely don't want to have to go in for surgery again due to re-aggravating the situation.
School starts next week but I won't be quite ready to go back yet. When I do go back though I will have my voice amp with me and I'll let you know how the first day went.
In Vocal Solidarity,
The soft spoken m&m
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